Bell-cord coupling



(No Model.)

G. A. SIPE.

BELL 00m) COUPLING.

N0.'364,312. PatentedjJune 7, 1887.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CONRAD ALBERT SIPE, OF FAIRMONT, VEST VIRGINIA.

BELL-CORD CQUPLING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 364,312, dated June 7,1887.

Application filed March 528, 1887.

T aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CONRAD ALBERT $11713, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Fairlnont, in the county of Marion and State of\Vest Virginia, have invented a new and useful Improvement in. Bell-CordCouplings, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to an improved belleord coupling adaptedespecially for use on railway-cars, the object being to provide a simpleand cheap coupling that can be quickly and easily connected anddiseonneeted,and that will not accidentally come apart; and it consistsin the construction and arrangement of the metal spring connectingstrips at the ends of the sections of cord and the combination of saidstrips with other parts, as hereinafter described, and embraced in theappended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view ofthe device attached to proper supports. Fig. 2 represents a centrallongitudinal section of the end of a cord having one side or section ofthe device attached. Fig. 3 represents a perspective view of one of saidsections of the device detached. Fig. 4 represents a perspective view ofa 1n odification thereof. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of portions ofthe two ends or coupling-hooks of my improvement. V

Referring to the drawings by letter, A A designate the meeting ends oftwo similar sections of bell-cord, and G C the similar'halves orsections of the connecting device respectively attached thereto. Each ofsaid halves or sections consists of two similar strips, 0 0, havingtheir front ends pointed or beveled outwardly and provided with theshoulders of c a short distance rearward from said points.

From the shoulder c of each strip 0 runs the straight portion or neck 0"a short distance rearyvard. The edge of the strip then inclines rearwardand outward, as at c", after which both stripshave the same and an equalwidth to the rear ends. The strips are secured together with theirshoulders c lying upon each other and pointing in opposite directions, aV-shaped notch, D, being formed between the points of the strips, and aspace, D, of general rectangular form betwecnthe' necks c 0 Each of thesaid sections or catches is placed within and among the strands of theend of the corresponding bell-cord, and secured by Serial No. 232,752.(No model.)

rivets passing through the cord and strips. The whole is then firmlyandevenly wrapped with small cord, E, a piece of soft-rubber tub- 5 5 ing,F, passed thereon and bound over all by a suitable cord or otherwrapping, the end of the tubing extending nearly to the points of thestrips.

To connecttwo sections of cord provided with the device, the V-shapednotches formed by'the points of the latter are placed together at rightangles, so that the points of the 0p posing sections or catches willhave passed each other. The two sections are then twisted upon eachother, so as to press apart the strips of which each are composed. Thehook-shaped ends of the catches will then pass each other, and theshoulders of one section will engage and hold on the shoulders of theopposing see 70. tion, the elasticity of the strips preventing them fromspringingapart.

Torelease the two couplers C and 0', they are twisted so as to separatethe hooked ends 0 thereof, when they may be readily drawn asunder bypassing between each other.

The rubber tubing, byits contraction on the strips, also aids inpreventing them from de taching from each other. It also prevents thepoints of the strips or catches from. injuring the hands of the personconnecting the sections of cord, or any parts of the. car that they maytouch, or breaking the windows in the doors of said cars.

Fig. 4 represents a modification of the device, in which there issubstituted for one of the sections of the device a single strip, G,similarly secured to the end of a section of bell-cord, and provided inits outer or front end with a slot, 9, which may be engaged by theshoulders c of the opposing section. The device as described is simple,cheap, and durable, and cannot easily become accidentally disengaged.

Having described my invention, I claim- 1. I11 a bell-cord coupler, thecombination, with the bell-cord, of two flexible tubes connected to theends thereof and spring-couplings mounted within the said tubes andconstructed to engage with each other and form a connection inclosed bythe tubes, all substantiall y as described.

2. In a bell-cord coupler, the combination, with the bell-cord, of tworubber cylinders, F,

secured to the ends thereof, and the springcouplers O and 0, arranged inplanes at right angles to each other and inclosed within each tube, andwhich are adapted to engage with each other, as set forth, and whencoupled are entirely housed by the said rubber tubes, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a bell-cord coupler, the combination, with the bell-cord, of thetwo springarms secured to the ends of said bell cord in planes at rightangles to each other and adapted to couple, as set forth, substantiallyas described.

4. The combination of the sections of bellcord A A, the similar sectionsor catches, G O, composed of the strips 0 0, each pointed at its end andprovided with a shoulder, a, and neck 0 forming between them theengaging Witnesses:

WM. A. OHLEY, JAS. E. MoCoY.

